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The last article I posted touched on the topic of debutants in the Wallabies this year and how there has been a fair rotation of players in and out of the squad.
However, following the informative and detailed approach taken by Sheek in highlighting the most experienced Test players for the Wallabies over the years, I wanted to have a closer look at some of the less-utilised Test players over the last decade.
This team comprises players that have made it to the highest status in Australian rugby, but have struggled to maintain a position in the team for whatever reason.
Given this season is yet to be completed, I’ll exclude players who have made their debut this year or who are still in the current Wallabies squad.
1. Ben Daley (3 Tests – 2010)
After earning some minutes for the Reds during an unimpressive 2008 season, Daley really made the loosehead prop jersey his own during an improved 2010 season, earning a Wallabies call-up at the end of the year for his efforts.
He was also starting loosehead when the Reds beat the Crusaders in the 2011 Super Rugby Final.
The emergence of James Slipper has limited his game time ever since, and injuries haven’t been the kindest to him either, but he has still amassed 82 caps for the Reds and his move to the Force will be a massive boost for their team on and off the field.
2. Nathan Charles (4 Tests – 2014)
Nathan Charles is an anomaly not only on this list, but in all of sport, as the only recognised person in the world to play professional contact sport with cystic fibrosis.
To his credit, in 2014 he had done enough to earn a spot on the bench behind newly appointed Test captain, Stephen Moore.
An early injury to Moore saw Charles go on to earn 4 Test caps for the Wallabies before a backlog of injured players returned to action and nudged him back out.
Nonetheless, what he has done both on and off the field is an inspiration to all.
3. Dan Palmer (1 Test – 2012)
A lack of game time at the Waratahs saw Palmer migrate to the Brumbies where he made the starting jersey his own in the ACT.
Despite never scoring a try in 44 Super Rugby games, his scrummaging was superb and his work around the field proved good enough to earn him a solitary cap for the Wallabies.
However, a move to Grenoble, where he never played a game, stunted his progression as a persistent foot injury stopped him from playing to his best thereafter. Without these injuries, I imagine he’d still be a consideration for Wallabies squads.
4. Luke Jones (3 Tests – 2014)
Despite being one of the most damaging locks in Super Rugby during 2014 and 2015, he was limited to a very select few Tests, beginning with his debut against France under Ewen McKenzie.
Whether he would have got more game time had McKenzie’s tenure extended longer remains to be seen, but as it stands, his decision to move to France to play club rugby has temporarily stunted any chance of progressing his Test experience.
Not that Cheika needs another lock to throw into his revolving door selection policy.
5. Al Kanaar (1 Test cap – 2005)
Not a household name by any standard, in fact, he may not even be recognisable by some of the die-hard fans on this website.
But this ex-Waratah did make it onto the field as a Wallaby in his debut Super Rugby season.
Sadly for Kanaar, his debut saw the realisation of a near-impossible task in trying to beat the All Blacks at Eden Park, and his sole performance against the ‘Men in Black’ wasn’t enough to earn a second shot in the gold jersey.
Peter Kimlin played just two caps for the Wallabies back in 2009
6. Peter Kimlin (2 Test caps – 2009)
Kimlin was a mainstay in the Brumbies team for most of 2007-13.
Although a handy and reliable player at club level, capable of covering lock and blindside flanker with aplomb, he was trying to crack into a Wallabies team during a time where the likes of Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, Wycliff Palu and James Horwill occupied his potential positions.
However, he was given his chance against Italy in 2009 and got a second attempt to match his efforts, but couldn’t do enough to nail down a spot.
7. Beau Robinson (1 Test cap – 2011)
George Smith, Phil Waugh, David Pocock and most recently Michael Hooper have all enjoyed multiple Test matches in the number 7 jerseys, but such is their talent that some of these men have spent time in the 6 or 8 jersey to accommodate another.
Furthermore, specialist open-sides like Matt Hodgson and Liam Gill have been restricted to 11 and 15 Tests respectively given the skillset of the others.
In jumps Beau Robinson.
During a time when injuries were high, Robinson earned a solo call-up against Samoa, which resulted in a shock loss to the island nation. He wasn’t to blame for the loss, but nor did he do enough to demand retention.
8. Jake Schatz (2 Test caps – 2014)
The fans of Schatz will be sorely disappointed by his release from the Reds squad for the 2017 season.
Perhaps his skillset could be better likened to a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none in particular.
Loved a tackle, was handy in lineouts, didn’t mind getting his hands on the ball and could control a scrum well from the back.
In a position that has seen an uneven rotation between Wycliff Palu, Ben Mowen, Scott Higginbotham, Ben McCalman and even an out-of-position David Pocock try to nail down the spot over the last five years, it seemed Schatz should get a chance to show his wares too, but the other candidates eventually fought their way back into top priority.
9. Josh Valentine (6 Test caps – 2006-09)
In the ensuing trial and error phase to replace George Gregan, Josh Valentine got his chance and showed mixed form in a few good, and a few not-so-good, performances.
Having spent four seasons with the Reds, two with the Waratahs and Brumbies, and one with the Western Force in between those, his travels and experience held him in good nick, but with the emergence of Luke Burgess as the likely successor, he was left to fight out bench positions with Brett Sheehan and eventual longer-term successor Will Genia.
A good player stuck behind some that were slightly better.
10. Sam Norton-Knight (2 Test caps – 2007)
Sam Norton-Knight is someone I remember less for his real-game performances and more for being a non-goal-kicking flyhalf on the classic PS2 game, Rugby 08.
As a playmaker, he did a fine job, but with a sour taste in the mouth following the Waratahs 2007 Super Rugby season (finishing 13th out of 14 teams), perhaps 2007 wasn’t the best time to drop him into the Test arena.
Still plying his trade overseas following a brief return to the Western Force in 2013, Norton-Knight remains a sound, reliable player, but couldn’t outshine the flair and ability of Mat Giteau and Berrick Barnes for long enough to develop a Test career.
11. Rod Davies (1 Test cap – 2011)
Davies will be remembered fondly for his lightning pace and ability to finish some well-worked tries in the Reds maiden championship season, but the jump to Test rugby was far too big for him.
His try-scoring abilities were founded when he topped the Q-Cup try-scoring list in his debut season, keeping that tradition for the first three years of his Super Rugby career.
His efforts in 2011 saw him earn a Test debut, but the transition required a lot more than sheer pace to excel at the international level.
12. Ben Tapuai (7 Test caps – 2011-12)
The centre spots have been a difficult couple of positions to cover in recent years.
Pat McCabe and Anthony Fainga’a held the spots for a time when Tapuai was at the peak of his powers and I happen to think more inclusion from him would’ve lead to more favourable results, but that’s all just the beauty of hindsight.
Competition for places in a dire Reds season in 2015 left him wanting more, so his move to the Force may yet pay off to develop him back to his attacking best and beyond.
At the moment though he’s not going to be adding to those Test caps anytime in the immediate future.
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia (2 Test caps – 2013)
Feauai-Sautia emerged as a schoolboy prodigy and was quickly snagged by the Reds.
His debut season was a great look into the skill level on offer and his size and speed made him a useful option for the wing or at outside centre.
He was even able to manage a try on his debut off the bench and in the following week in his first run-on start.
The year after his Reds debut, he earned a few minutes for the Wallabies, but his tendency to slack in the off-season and come back out of shape has lead to a steep decline in fitness levels to the point that starting at club level is a stretch.
14. Cooper Vuna (2 Test caps – 2012)
A natural finisher, Vuna managed to score 13 tries in 36 games for the Rebels, 14 tries in 27 games for Worcester and, impressively, 36 tries in 59 games for both the Warriors and Knights in the NRL.
His ability to score saw him become sought after on the wing for the Wallabies against Wales in 2012 for the first two games of their three-match series.
An injury saw a temporary end to his Test career, but upon return, he struggled to force his way back into the squad.
Leaving overseas for Japan and then England further lowered his chances, but his skillset remains desirable for a Wallabies winger and his return to Australian rugby would be welcomed with open arms by most, I’m sure.
15. Jesse Mogg (3 Test caps – 2013)
To round out this hypothetical XV, a fullback by the name of Jesse Mogg was a must-have.
Not only does he provide an occasionally good goal-kicking ratio, he’s a seasoned player of 60 caps for a successful Brumbies team and 20 caps for a dominant Montpellier.
During the British and Irish Lions series in 2013, Mogg was able to earn some game-time for the Wallabies, but questionable performances limited his longevity at the top level.
Perhaps lacking the composure and size to really excel in the fullback role at Test level, he was always a handy player at club level and his mix of pace with his mammoth boot made him a useful addition to any team he’s featured in.
Of course, there are a lot of other great players who were unlucky enough to get a feature on this list.
Also representing the Wallabies in less than ten games over the last decade or so are Josh Mann-Rea, Huia Edmonds, Paddy Ryan, Laurie Weeks, Brett Sheehan, Peter Betham, Timana Tahu, Cameron Shepherd and Lloyd Johansson.
Likewise, for New Zealand and South Africa, plenty of crowd favourites may have got a crack at the top tier but were never able to cement a spot in their Test team.
Some such players include Ben Atiga, Scott Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Jarrad Hoeata, Jongi Nokwe, Meyer Bosman, Charl McLeod and Keegan Daniel.,
So I ask you, who are your favourite players who never got the game time you thought they deserved at an international level?
Whether they weren’t liked by coaches, had off-field issues or had careers ended prematurely by injury, which players drew the short straw in your opinion?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.